Brazilian Walnut

One of the hardest, most durable woods on earth — built for extreme performance.

Common Name(s): Brazilian Walnut, Ipe, Lapacho

Scientific Name: Handroanthus spp. (formerly Tabebuia spp.)

Distribution: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, Northern South America

Brazilian Walnut — commonly known as Ipe — is an ultra‑dense, high‑performance hardwood renowned for its exceptional hardness, durability, and resistance to decay. Often used in premium decking, heavy exterior structures, and long‑life architectural applications, Ipe is one of the toughest woods available. Its density rivals steel, giving it outstanding wear resistance and stability even in harsh tropical or marine environments. With proper machining and finishing, Brazilian Walnut delivers decades of service with minimal maintenance.

Key Attributes

Appearance

Colour

OLive-brown to dark chocolate

Grain

Straight to interlocked

Texture

Fine to medium

Density

Extremely heavy

Performance

Workability

Difficult (high density + silica)

Durability

Exceptional (decay, insects, marine borers)

Stability

Excellent dimensional stability

Technical Information

Property	Value
Janka Hardness	3,510 bf
Modulus of Rupture	25,400 psi
Modulus of Elasticity	3,200,000 psi
Density	69–75 lbs/ft³ (avg ~72)
Crushing Strength	13,500 psi
Shrinkage (Radial)	4.2%
Shrinkage (Tangential)	7.2%
Shrinkage (Volumetric)	11.4%
T/R Ratio	1.7
Workability	Difficult (high density + silica)
Planing	Fair, with sharp tools
Sanding	Good
Finishing	Accepts oils; UV oils recommended outdoors
Stability	Excellent dimensional stability
Durability	Exceptional (marine borers, decay, termites)
Moisture Movement	Low